Directionally-controlled block-signal system



R. J. HEWETT. omscnomuv commouwelocx SIGNAL SYSTE APPLICATION FILED MAY28, I921. 1,4,36,71 I. x Patented Nov. 28, 1922 2 SHEETS-SHEET -H. J.HEWETT. "";DI RECT|0NALLY CONTROLLED BLOCK SIGNAL SYSTEM.

1 V APPLICATION FLLED MAYZB. i921. #136,711; r v. Patenm Nov. 28, 1922.

. 2 SHEETS-SHEET 2- 3 K I I 0/ ATTORNEY-3.,

Patented Nov. 28, 1922.

HTE il .TtES.

ROBERT J. HEWETT, WESTFIELD, NET/V JERSEY.

DIRECTIONALLY-CONTRQLLED BLOCK-SIGNAL SYSTEM.

Application filed May 28,

ative to set all the signals in one direction to stop for absolutecontrol of tra-fiic in that direction when a train enters the stretch oftrack in the opposite direction, and stick relays to break this overlapand render the circuits operative for permissive control of .traftic inthat direction as a train proceeds in the permitted direction. The stickrelay in thatsystem is normally energized and is deenergized by closinga shunt circuit controlled by the track relay and the signal for theparticular block, such deenergization resulting in the closing of anauxiliary circuit which effective to incapacitate the overlap control.The restoring circuit for the stick relay is controlled by the linerelay and signal conjointly, being closed when the line rel ay isenergized and before the signal moves from its stop position.

()ne of the objects of this invention is to simplify the circuitarrangement for the stick circuit in such a system. Another ob-- thisway the overlap control of the line circults is broken only by a trainmoving .in

the direction controlled by the signals, while the stick relays retainthe overlap control for absolute setting of those signals by a trainmoving in the opposite direction.

Other features of my invention Will be 1921. Serial no. 473,2e7.

more particularly referred to in the description of the embodimentillustrated in the drawings,

Figs. 1 and 2 are diagrams of a circuit arrangement illustrating myinvention and are to be taken together, the latter being a continuationon the right of the former.

The stretch of single track between the two sidings TV and X shown inthe drawings is divided into block'sect-ions T 9, T T T 3, T, T and Tand trafiic through this stretch is controlled by east bound signals 10,12, 14 and 16 and by west bound signals 9, ll, 13 and 15. Each tracksection is provided With a track relay designated by the letter R-followed by the number of the block section. Each signal is controlledby a polarized line relay designated by the letter L followed by thenumber of the sig: nal. The signals are shown as three position signals,and the circuits controlling them are of the usual type for governingthree position semaphore signals. In other words, the line circuit for agiven line relay is connected to a pole changer operated by the nextsignal in advance. This line circuit also includes a contact closer.under: the control of the line relay for the signal next in advance.This is the overlap control, it being apparent that when the line relayin advance is deenergized it will, by dropping the contact closer, breakthe line circuit for the signal in rear. In this Way the deenergizing ofa line relay at one end of the block will cause all the line relays forthe signals in the direction opposite to that in which the train enters,to be deenergized, and the signals controlling trailic in the oppositedirection are thereby all set to'stop position for the absolute controlof trafiic in the direction opposite to. that in which the controllingtrain entered the stretch of track.

In order that these line circuits may operate to control traiiic passingthrough the stretch of track in the direction governed by the signalscontrolled by these line circuits, stick relay is provided for eachsignal, which is designated by the letter S followed by the number ofthe signal, and this stick relay is normally energized and operates whendeenergized to close an auxiliary or branch circuit around the circuitcloser controlled by the line relay, or in other words, to break theoverlap control.

The line circuit arrangement is similar to that illustrated in my Patent#1,362,994 above mentioned. Referring to line relay L for instance, thecircuit may be traced as follows: relay L wire 20, circuit controller 21of track relay R wire 22, circuit controller 23 of west bound stickrelay S wire 24, circuit controller 25 of track relay R wire 26 tocircuit controller 27 of stick relay S Wire 28, circuit controller 29 ofline relay L wires 30 and 31, positive pole changer P, wires 32, 33 and344,, battery B wires 35 and 36 and negative pole changer N to thecommon wire indicated throughout the drawings by the heavy line back torelay L Thus it is seen that the line circuit is controlled by the trackrelays for track sections '1 and T and by the stick relay for west boundsignal 11, and also by the line relay for the signal 12 so long as thestick relay S is energized and the circuit closer 27 is against itsfront stop. If the stick relay S be deenergized, the circuit closer 27engages the back contact 37, and this line circuit then proceeds fromthe contact closer 27 to the wire 38 and thence to the wire 31, thecircuit closer 29 being eliminated from the circuit. The line circuitfor relay L may be traced in precisely the same way, being controlled bytrack relays R and R and by stick relay S and also by line relay L ifstick relay S be energized. Similarly it will be seen that the circuitfor line relay L is controlled by track relays R and R and by stickrelay S, but since signal 14 is the last absolute signal at that end ofthe stretch of track, the line circuit for track relay L is notcontrolled by line relay L but by track relay B only through contact 25,passing thence directly to the pole changer of signal 16.

It will now be seen that if a west bound train enters track section Ttrack relay R drops its circuit closer 25 which breaks the line circuitfor relay L That relay then drops the circuit closer 29 of the overlapcontrol and thus breaks the line circuit for line relay L, which in turndrops its circuit closer 29 and breaks the line circuit for relay L Allof the signals governing east bound trafiic are thereby put to stop.

The line circuits for the line relays L L, L and L for west boundsignals 9, 11, 13 and 15 may be traced in a similar manner from which itwill be seen that the entrance of an east bound train upon track sectionT will set all of the west bound signals to stop.

The signal motor circuits: are controlled by circuit closers 81 and 87of the respective line relays, the former beinga neutral con tact closerwhile the latter is polarized. In other words the contact closer 81 isclosed both for a normal and reverse polarity of the current of the linerelay and the contact closer 87 is closed by a normal polarity andopened by a reverse polarity of the current. This operation will befurther described in connection with the operation of the stick relays.

Referring for example to east bound stick relay S at signal 10, thecontrol circuit for this stick relay is as follows: From battery 13positive wire 32, wire 40, stick relay S wire 42, contact 43, wire 44,wire 45, contact 46 of circuit controller C which is operated by signal10 and normally closed when signal 10 is in its clear position, wirewire 85 and negative wire 34, 33 to battery B In multiple with contact46 of circuit controller C, is another circuit controlled by contact 50of track relay R as follows: From wire 44, wire 49, contact 50, wire 51to negative wire 33. Since contacts 46 and 50 are in multiple, both mustbe opened in order to deenergize stick relay S After being deenergizedstick relay S will open its stick circuit contact 43 and this willprevent it from being again energized except by the restoring circuitwhich is as follows: From battery B positive wire 32, wire 40, stickrelay S wire 52, contact 53 of line relay L, restoring wire 54,restoring segment 55 of circuit controller C as it passes over segment55, wire 85, negative wires 34, 33 to battery B East bound stick relay Scan be deenergized by an east bound train movement only, and not by awest bound train movement. For this reason circuit controller C isprovided also with a contact 48 for the stop position of the signal 10,and contacts 46 and 48 are connected by wire 47. When signal 10 is putto its stop position by the entrance of a west bound train into thetrack section, the stick circuit of stick relay S will be held closedthrough the engagement of the circuit controller C with contact 48 evenwhen the west bound train enters track section T and deenergizes trackrelay R and thus breaks contact 50. In order to break the stick circuitof stick relay S, the contact 50 must be broken while the circuit closer(1 is out of engagement with both contacts 46 and 48. This can only beeffected by the entrance of an east bound train into track sec-tion TThe complete operation of the system for an east bound train movementmay now be explained as follows: The entry of the east bound train intotrack section T will deenergize track relay R which by opening itscontact 21 will deenergize line relay L and this by opening its contact81 will cause signal 10 to move towards its stop position which causesits circuit controller 0 to open its contact 46, and contact 50 of trackrelay B being also open east bound stick relay 3 will be deenergized andthis by opening its front contact 25 cuts off contact 27 of track relayR which is the overlap control for station signal 8, not shown, and

by closing its back contact 37 connects the control circuit for signal 8direct to the pole changer. PN which now being reversedsignal 10 beingat stop, will cause signal 8 to give the indication. its signal 10 movesdownward its circuit controller (1 will make an intermittent or passingcontact with restoring segment 55, this however is not now effectivesince stick relay S Was deenergized as soon as circuit controller Copened its contact 46, and since contact 53 is now open. When signal 10is in its stop position and itscircuit controller C closes its contact48 the circuit for stick relay 8 is still held open since its stickcircuit con tact 43 was opened soon as circuit controller C opened itscontact 46.

The entry of the east bound train into tracksection T havingdeenerpgized track relay R it will open its contact 65 and put Westboundsigi'ial ll to stop and its circuit controller C will then closeits contact 48 which Will hold West bound stick relay S energized Whilethe east bound train is passing through track sections T and T Thisholding circuit is now as tollr rs: From battery B positive Wire 74,Wire 40, stick relay S Wire 4'2, contact 4.3, Wire A, Wire a5, Wirea'Z,contact 1-8 of circuit controller C wvire 85, negative Wire 7'6 7 tobattery B Vi est bound stick relay S is thereby held normally energizedby the stop position of circuit controller C While the east bound trainis passing through track sections T and T.

The movement of the east bound train through the block, track sections Tand T, will therefore deenergize east bound stick relay S but Will holdWest bound stick relay i l in its normally energized con dition.

When the east bound train clears out of track section. T track relay Rwill be energized and this by closing); its contactfii. will energizeline relay L and this by closing its contact Si in the motor circuitwill clear West bound signal 11 and put circuit controller C normalwhich will open contact t8 and close contact all. During the movement ofcircuit controller C from contact i8 to contact 4 6 it will be seen thatthis part of the holdingcircuit will be open; the closed condition ofcontact of track relay R will, lioivever hold the holding circuit closedand hold West bound stick relay 3 energized during this interval,

The closed condition of contact 525 of track relay R will close thecontrol circuit tor east bound signal 10 and its line relay L will beenergized and by closing contact 81 Will clear signal 10 to its 4-5position. The train being new in track section T signal 112 will be atstop and its pole changer PN being; reversed Will cause battery B todeliver a negative current to line relay L can which throws its polarcontact 8''? to the open tact the Will be ch positive wire wire a0,stick relay 8,

Wire 52, contact 58 of line relay L wire 54,

segment of circuit controller C Wire 85, and n ative Wires 37intobattery B Rest 'ing segment should be of suflicient length to enablestick relay El to be safely energized. After being restored to itsnormal energized condition stick relay S Will be held energized by itsstick circuit includ- 111;; Contact 43-? as has been explained.

'ihe absolute or through control of the West bound signals is effectedby the repeat in g arrangement of the line controlled relays andcircuits above (.iescribed. il hen an east bound train enters tracksection T track relay R opening its contact opens the line controlcircuit, tor West bound line relay L at signal 11 Which will bedeenerand iis by opening its contact 69 Will opei the not. West boundline control circuit for .VGSi] bound line relay L at signal 13 whichWill be deenergized and by opening its contact will open the next ivestbound line control circuit for West bound line relay L at West boundabsolute signal 15. All West bound signals 11, 13 and 15 are thereby putto stop and this sets the block against West bound train movements a Asthe east bound train moves along through the bloc; it Will deeneij'gizeeach east bound stick relay in rotation which prevents the east boundabsolute control :l'roiii being effective in the rear of the east boundand provides for the permissive movement of a'ili'olloiving east boundtrai as has been exploited. As the cast bound train clears away y noeach West bound signal that signal will be cleared to lts 90 position ashas been shown for West bound signal 11. in describing the operation oteast bound stick relay S at absolute signal 10 it has been shown thatthe purpose of said stick relay 5, and its front contact 25 and backcontact 37' is to cut oil the overlap con trol tor east bound stationsignal 8 which s1 'nal correspondsto east bound station signal 16 atpassing siding X. This arrangeinent oi. the stick relay applies only atan absolute signal as shown. it all other intermediate signals as 14:the east bound stick relays 53 and are arranged as follows:

trate:

ll hen the east bound train enters track section T at 1% stick relay 5will 1e same'way as at absolute signal its front contact 27 will cuttaking stick relay S to illusi astolloivs: From battery B chan er Ph ofeast bound signal 12.

oil the east bound absolute control contact 29 of east bound line relayL and its back contact 37 will connect the line control circuit forabsolute signal direct to the pole The circuit will be follows: Fromline control relay L wire 20, Contact 21 or" track relay R line wire 22,contact 23, oi west bound stick relay S wire 2%, contact of track relayR wire 26, back contact 3'? of east bound stick relay S and wire 38direct to pole changer Phi of east bound signal 12. The presence of theeast bound train in track section T causes east bound signal 1.2 to beits stop position and its pole changer PN will thereby be reversed whichwill deliver negative current from battery B to east bound line relay Lat absolute signal 10 and this will reverse the polarity of line relay Land throw its polar contact 87 to its open position which will permitsignal 10 to display the r5 indication only.

When the east bound train clears out of track section T at west boundsignal 13 east bound line relay L will be revere elf, energized, closingcontact 81 opening contact 87, signal 12 will move to ca .tion orposition, and stick relay S will be returned to its normal conditiorwhile pole changer PN of signal 12 will deliver a current of normal or.positive polarity to line relay L at signal 10 and this will cause itspolar contact 87 to be thrown to its closed position which will clearsignal 10 to its 90 position.

l/Vhen the east bound train enters track section T at signal 14: whichis the last signal in the directionally controlled stretch of road theoperation or east bound stick relay S will be the same as stick relay S.

It will be noted, as above pointed out, that at each east bound stickrelay, S and S the second contact 63 controls the line control circuitfor the opposite or bound signal. That is stick relay E5 by its contact63 controls west bound control circuit for signal 11; stick relay S byits contact 63 controls west bound control circuit for signal 13 andstick relay S by its contact 68 controls west bound control circuit forsignal 15. This is a standard requirement in the design of signalcircuits and insures the safe operation of the circuits. If a stickrelay should fail to be restored to its normal condition its contact 53will hold open the opposite control circuit and hold the oppositesignals at stop.

For a west bound train movement the on cuits and signals and theiroperation are the same but progressive west bound in sucoessive orderfrom west bound absolute signal 15 at passingsioing X to west boundstation signal 9 at pi ssing siding N.

It is obvious that various modifications may be made in the constructionand circuit arrangement shown in the drawings and above particularlydescribed withln the principle and scope of my invention.

I claim:

1. In a directionally controlled block signal system, a stretch ofsingle track divided into block sections, a track relay for each blocksection, a plurality of signals along the trackway, for controllingtraific in one direction and including one at each end and anintermediate signal, a line relay in 0011- trol of each signal, normallyoverlapping .i circuits in control of the line relays for absolutecontrol or the signals by a train entering the stretch of track in theopposite direction, and a stick relay operative when the train entersthe intermediate block in the direction controlled by the signals toincapacitate the control of the line circuit for the signal to the rearby the line circuit of the intermediate signal, the stick circuit ofsaid stick relay including contacts controlled in parallel by the trackrelay and signal of he intermediate block, respectively.

in a directionally controlled block sigl a stretch of single trackdivided sections, a track relay for each section, a plurality ofsignalsalong aclrway for controlling traific in one on and including one ateach end and =ediate signal, a line relay in conrol of each signal,normally overlapping line circuits in control of the line relays forabsolute control or the signals by a train entering the stretch of trackin the opposite direction, and a. normally energized stick relayoperative when deenergized to incapacitate the control of the linecircuit for 1' mil to the rear by the line circuit of re intermediatesignal, the stick circuit of aic stick relay including contactscontrolled 2 'allel by the track relay and signal of the itermediateblock, respectively.

3. in a directionally controlled block signal system, a stretch ofsingle track divided into block sections, a track relay for each blocksection, a plurality of signals along the tra-ckway for controllingtrafiic in one direction and including one at each end and anintermediate signal, a linerelay in control oi each signal, normallyoverlapping line circuits in control of the line relays for absolutecontrol of the signals by a train entering the stretch of track in theopposite direction, normally energized relay operative when deenergizedto incapacitate the control of the line circuit for the signal to therear by the line circuit of the inter- :iate signal, means controlled bythe 1 k relay oi the the intermediate block for deenergizing thenormally energized relay, and means controlled by the intermediatesignal for preventing the deenergizing action of the said track relaywhen the intermediate signal is in either the clear or stop position.

i. In a directionally controlled block signal system, a stretch ofsingle track divided. into block sections, a track relay for each blocksection, a plurality of signals along the track my for controllingtraiiic in one direction and including one at each end and anintermediate signal, a line relay in control of each signal, normallyoverlapping line circuits in control oi the line relays itor absolutecontrol of the signals by a train entering the stretch of track in theopposite direction, a normally energized relay operative whendeenergized to incapacitate the control of the line circuit for thesignal to the rear by the line circuit of the intermediate signal, meanscontrolled by the coaction of the track relay of the intermediate blockand of the intermediate signal to deenergize the normally energizedrelay when the track relay is deenergized and the signal is intermediateof its clear and stop positions and means controlled by the line relayof said signal for reenergizing said normally energized relay when thesaid signal is in said intermediate position.

5. In a directionally controlled block sig nal system, a stretch ofsingle track. divided into block sections, a track relay for each blocksection, a plurality of signals along the trackway for controllingtraliic in one direction and including one at each end and anintermediate signal, a line relay in control of each signal, normallyoverlapping line circuits in control of the line relays for absolutecontrol of the signals by a train entering the stretch of track in theopposite direction, a normally energized stick relay operative whendeenergized to incapacitate the control of the line circuit for thesignal to the rear by the line circuit of the intermediate signal, saidstick relay having, its stick circuit controlled in parallel by thetrack relay and signal of the intermediate block, and means controlledby the line relay of the intermediate signal and by the intermediatesignal operative to restore the stick relay -When the said signal isintermediate its clear and stop positions 6. In a directionallycontrolled bloc-l nal system, a stretch of single track divided. intoblock sections, a track relay for each block section, a plurality ofsignals along the track way, a line relay in control of each signal,normally closed overlapping line circuits controlling said line relays,a normally energized stick relay operative when deenergized toincapacitate the control by one line circuit of the line circuit in therear, a circuit closer for the stick circuit of said relay controlled bythe track relay of the said advance block and operative to be closedwhen the block is unoccupied, and a second circuit closer for the tic ,signal. normally close stick circuit in multiple with the first circuitcloser and operated by the signal for said advance block to be closedwhen the signal is in either its clear or stop posi- 2; and to be openwhen the signal is in ucrmediate position,

7, In a. directionally controlled block sig nal system, a stretchoi-single track divided with block SQCLlOllS, a track relay for eachbloclr section, :1 plurality oi signals along the track way, a linerelay in control of each d overlapping line circults controlling saidllilG relays, a normally energized stick relay operative whendeenergized to incapacitate the control by one line circuit of the linecircuit in the rear, and a circuit closer for the stick circuit of saidrelay operated by the signal for the advance block to be closed when thesignal either in its clear or stop positions.

8. In a directionally controlled block signal system, a stretch ofsingle track divided with block sections, a track relay for each blocksection, a plurality of signals along the track way, a line relay incontrol of each signal, normally closed overlapping line circuits conrolling said. line relays, a normally ene zed stick relay operative whendenergized to incapacitate the control by one line circuit of the linecircuit in the ream a circuit closer for the stick circuit of said relaycontrolled by the track relay of the said advance block and. operativeto be closed when the block is unoccupied, a sec- 0nd circuit closer forthe stick circuit in multiple with the first circuit closer and operatedby the signal, "for said advance block to be closed when the signal isin either its clear or stop positions and to be opened when the signalin an intermediate posi* tion, and a restoring circuit for said stickrelay operative to reenergize the relay when the said signal is in anintermediate position and. the said advance block is unoccupied.

traclr re ay for each i 7 Y of ials along the track way, i line rela inconn-ol of each signal, normally closed overlapping line circuitscontrolling sai d line relays, a normally energized stick relayoperativewhen deener gized to incapacitate the control by one. linecircuit of the line circuit in the rear, a circuit closer -tor the stickcircuit of said. relay operated by the signal tor the advance block tobe closed when the signal is either in its clear or stop positions, anda restoring circuit for said stick relay operative to reenergize therelay when the said signal is in an intermediate position and the saidadvance block is unoccupied.

10. In a directionally controlled block signal system, a stretch ofsingle track divided LOO llO

into block sections, a track relay for each block section, a pluralityof signals along the track Way, a line relay in control of each signal,normally closed overlapping line circuits controlling said line relays,a

normally energized stick relay operative when de-energized toincapacitate the 0011- trol by one line circuit or the line circuit inthe rear, a circuit closer for the stick circuit of said relaycontrolled by the track relay of the said advance block and opera tiveto be closed when the block is unoccupied, a second circuit closer forthe stick circuit in multiple With the first circuit i.,ase,71 1

advance block to be closed when the signal is in either its clear orstop positions and to be open When the signal is in an inter mediateposition, and a restoring circuit for the said stick relay controlled bythe line relay 01 said advance block and the circuit closer for saidsignal, said restoring circuit being arranged to be closed When'the saidsignal is in an intermediate position and the line relay is energized.

In Witness whereof, I hereunto subscribe my signature.

ROBERT J. HEVVETT.

